The Egg and I (1947).

The Egg and I (1947) film directed by Chester Erskine, who co-wrote screenplay with Fred F. Finklehoffe, based on the novel by Betty MacDonald. Cast: Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray.

One morning, Bob wakes up and tells his new wife Betty, that he has quit his boring job in the city, for the life of raising chickens, in the country. Driving an old truck filled with livestock, the newlyweds are off to the mountains to live in their new home, a rundown old shack. When they arrive, Bob shares his dreams about their wonderful new life. The next day, they are visited by their neighbor, Pa Kettle, who borrows the supplies that Bob has just purchased to build his chicken coop. Betty scared of the chickens decides help by leading Cleopatra the pig into her pen. Just as Betty falls into the mud, Harriet Putnam, a beautiful neighbor from Bella Vista Farm, arrives and has no problem getting the pig back into the pen. Tom Kettle, Pa's son, who has come to help out at the farm, talks to Betty about going to college, Betty decides to visit Tom's mother to see what they can do to get him there. At the Kettles', Betty is greeted by a wild bunch of children. When Betty talks to Ma Kettle over some homemade cookies she says that they are dependent upon him and Tom going to collage is out of the question..Bob and Betty visit Bella Vista Farm, where Betty becomes jealous when Harriet begins to flirt with her husband.

Betty and Ma become fast friends, Betty makes her a new dress for the big dance, Ma gives her a quilt she has just finished sewing. At the dance Betty is asked to dance by every colorful partner in the county, while Harriet dances with Bob. The dance comes to end when the sheriff announces that the Kettles barn has caught fire and the flames are spreading throughout the valley. Bob and Betty lose their outbuildings and crops in the fire. The next morning, their neighbors rally together to help them rebuild the farm.

What will happen to their marriage and their dream of the chicken farm?

FUN FACTS:

It was the basis for "Green Acres".

First of eight films in which Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride played Ma and Pa Kettle.